NUNZIUM

South Africa, celebrated for its cultural diversity, is currently wrestling with an escalating wave of xenophobia, sparked by nationalist political rhetoric and anti-immigrant sentiment. The anti-immigrant group, Operation Dudula, notorious for its aggressive targeting of foreign-owned businesses in the Soweto Township, is fanning the flames of this animosity. Zimbabwean business owner Victress Mathuthu exemplifies the many foreign entrepreneurs who have been subjected to the group's intrusive inspections and threats to shut down foreign-operated Spaza shops.

Operation Dudula, now a registered political party preparing for the 2024 general election, contends that the government is failing to curb foreign business ownership. Both Thabo Ngayo, the group's national coordinator, and Mzwanele Manyi, a representative of the Economic Freedom Fighters party, argue that business ownership should be reserved for South Africans.

However, xenophobia is not a recent phenomenon in South Africa. The African Center for Migration and Society's platform, Xenowatch, has documented over a thousand attacks on migrants, resulting in 661 deaths and the looting of more than 5,000 shops since 1994. The most recent wave of violence includes the brutal killing of a Zimbabwean man in April 2022 and the loss of 62 lives in similar attacks in 2008.

Fredson Guilengue of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation highlights the rise in attacks on migrants and the surge in right-wing sentiment as the election draws near. He links the issues Black South Africans have with African immigrants to the country's colonial history, Apartheid, a struggling economy, and xenophobic policies. The African National Congress (ANC) party, facing a potential drop below the 50% mark for the first time, may also resort to xenophobic policies.

The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) in Pretoria attributes half of the country's unemployment rate to poor governance, corruption, and administrative inefficiencies. The migrant population, which mirrors the global average at 6.5%, often bears the brunt of these societal strains. Many immigrants lack proper residency permits due to flawed immigration policies and corruption within the Interior Ministry.

South Africa's stance on international issues, such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, has further deepened societal divisions. The government's pro-Palestinian position has been criticized by the Jewish community, despite President Cyril Ramaphosa offering South Africa's mediation assistance, drawing on parallels between the Palestinians' history and South Africa's struggle against white-minority rule.

Simultaneously, South Africa grapples with significant environmental and economic issues. The country is projected to miss the 2030 carbon emissions targets set by the Paris climate agreement due to plans to extend the operation of eight coal-fired power plants. However, the Environment Ministry remains committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. In response to the escalating illegal mining problem, President Ramaphosa has approved a $26 million operation to deploy 3,300 army personnel. The Minerals Council of South Africa warns that illegal mining, prevalent in both disused and active mines, is damaging the country's investment appeal.

South Africa is at a pivotal crossroads, with its future shaped by today's responses to xenophobia, economic struggles, and environmental challenges. The country's ability to navigate these issues will determine whether it can build a more inclusive, prosperous, and sustainable future.